“A Great Rekindling Of Our Culture”, Tinubu Celebrates Eyo Festival

A Great Rekindling of Our Culture: Tinubu Celebrates Eyo Festival

In the heart of Lagos, beneath the grandeur of Tafawa Balewa Square, a sea of white-robed figures carrying long staffs known as opambata filled the streets with chants, dances, and timeless Yoruba rhythms.

It was the grand return of the Eyo Festival, a cultural spectacle that had been absent for eight years, now revived in 2025 with a flourish that echoed both history and heritage.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stood among thousands of revelers, dressed in the traditional white robe, a damask sash draped across his shoulder, and a distinctive hat adorned with bold decorative stars. His presence was more than ceremonial, it was symbolic. Tinubu described the revival of the festival as “a great rekindling of our culture,” a phrase that captured the spirit of the day.

The Eyo Festival, dating back to 1854, has long been regarded as the sacred Adamu Orisha Play, a living archive of Yoruba tradition. This year’s edition was unique, honoring four distinguished Lagos personalities instead of the usual one or three.

Among them were Mobolaji Johnson, the first military administrator of Lagos State; Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, the first civilian governor; Sir Michael Otedola, a former governor; and Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, the late Iyaloja and mother of President Tinubu.

Their legacies were celebrated as pillars of leadership and service that shaped Lagos into a city of national and international prominence.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his welcome address, described the event as historic, a homecoming for the President and a reaffirmation of Lagos’ cultural resilience. He praised the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, and the traditional institutions for their role in reviving the festival, calling it a symbol of unity, purity, and communal strength.

The festival coincided with Detty December, a season when Lagos becomes a hub for Nigerians in the diaspora and foreign visitors.

Tinubu emphasized that the glamour of the Eyo Festival was not just cultural but also a powerful tool for tourism and destination promotion. The sight of white-robed figures parading through the streets, he said, sent a resounding message about Nigeria’s identity and cultural wealth.

The day was filled with cultural performances, indigenous music, chants, and processions of Eyo groups, all culminating in prayers for the President and the nation.

Dignitaries from across Nigeria, including governors, ministers, diplomats, and senior officials, joined the celebration, marking it as both a cultural and political milestone.

The 2025 Eyo Festival was more than pageantry, it was a reminder of Lagos’ unbroken connection to its history, a celebration of Yoruba heritage, and a declaration that culture remains a vital force in shaping the future.

For Tinubu, it was not only a rekindling of tradition but also a vision of how Nigeria’s cultural assets can shine on the global stage.